TAG Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to the questions we hear most frequently.

Do I have to submit a TAG to apply for admission to UC Davis as a transfer student?

No. A TAG is not required to apply for transfer admission. However, we encourage students to complete a UC Davis TAG for its many benefits, including guaranteed admission and strong academic preparation.

If you are not eligible for a UC Davis TAG based on one or more of the factors outlined in our TAG Criteria at right, you may still be a competitive applicant. We encourage you to meet with your California community college counselor and apply for admission through the regular transfer application process.

Is the TAG available to students who previously attended a college or university outside of the United States?

Yes. As long as you do not have a baccalaureate or higher-level degree, we encourage you to apply for a UC Davis TAG.

Can I have too many units to be eligible for TAG?

A student who has enrolled only at California community colleges (CCC) is not in jeopardy of having too many units to be eligible for the UC Davis TAG. There is no unit limitation for these applicants.

A student who has attended institutions in addition to their CCC should speak with their CCC counselor for details regarding the following unit limitations and exclusions that may apply:

• After applying UC lower-division unit limitations and exclusions, students must have fewer than 80 semester (120 quarter) transferable units of college coursework at the time of enrollment.
• The College of Engineering will consider applicants who have 80 or more semester (120 quarter) units of transfer credit after UC lower-division unit limitations and exclusions have been applied.

Are TAG requirements subject to change? If so, when?

Criteria required to qualify for a UC Davis TAG can change annually in May. We suggest that you meet with your California community college counselor between mid-May and September, one year in advance of your planned UC Davis enrollment.

Certain selective majors require that you complete additional coursework and/or earn higher GPAs to be eligible for a TAG, so plan your academic program carefully to ensure that you're well-prepared for your intended major. Visit our TAG Majors page at right for details.

Non-selective majors may not require additional coursework be completed to qualify for TAG, but transfer students are strongly advised to complete as many preparatory courses as possible for their major before enrolling at UC Davis. Visit assist.org for transferable courses that satisfy lower division coursework.

Do I need to submit transcripts with my TAG application?

Transcripts are not required when you submit your TAG application. However, admitted students should be prepared to submit official sealed high school and college transcripts by July 1 and no later than July 15, prior to fall enrollment.

It is critical that self-reported coursework on your TAG application and UC application match coursework shown on official, sealed transcripts. If you attended any college or university outside of the United States, each international school must be reported, and you should be prepared to submit course descriptions with word-for-word English translations upon request.

Must I report Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examinations and submit official scores with the TAG?

IGETC generally works well for students planning to pursue a Bachelor of Arts major with few units of lower-division preparation. Bachelor of Science degrees and higher-unit majors often have extensive lower-division course preparation. In these cases, although IGETC is accepted, the UC Davis General Education (GE) pattern is the best choice. Learn more about general education requirements in the UC Davis General Catalog or through assist.org.

What if my California community college does not offer a required course?

If your current/primary CCC does not offer a course required for UC Davis selection, you are encouraged to seek comparable courses at another CCC. If, according to assist.org, a required course is not available at any CCC, UC Davis will waive that course requirement for TAG applicants.

If ASSIST identifies a comparable course at your current/primary CCC but it is not being offered this year, see your CCC counselor for guidance and provide a comment about course availability on the UC TAG application.

If ASSIST identifies a comparable course at your current/primary CCC but your CCC is unsure of course availability during the upcoming academic year, include the course in your academic plan and include a comment on your TAG application. You will later be instructed to complete the UC Transfer Academic Update (TAU) to advise us of changes to your planned course schedule.

I'm interested in the Marine and Coastal Science major. Which college should I apply to?

Because Marine and Coastal Science is a cross-college major offered through three of our academic colleges, students must identify an area of focus in order to select the appropriate major/college pairing:

• Coastal Environmental Processes: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Marine Environmental Chemistry: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Marine Ecology and Organismal Biology: College of Biological Sciences*
• Oceans and the Earth System: College of Letters and Science

*This focus is subject to selective major requirements within the College of Biological Sciences. Visit our TAG Majors page at right for details.

Once I submit the TAG may I attend a college or university other than a California community college?

No. TAGs are only available to students enrolled at California community colleges.

When will I receive my TAG decision?

UC Davis will notify you when your TAG decision is available, no later than November 15, one year prior to your planned enrollment.

Must I also file the UC application for undergraduate admission and scholarships?

Yes, students with approved UC Davis TAGs must file the UC application for undergraduate admission and scholarships during the initial fall application filing period, for the major and term for which the TAG is written. We encourage you to wait for your TAG decision before submitting the UC application.

It is critical that coursework reported in the UC application and TAG application matches coursework shown on official, sealed transcripts.

What must I do to ensure my admission to UC Davis?

You must meet all provisions of your UC Davis TAG. Specific requirements will be included in your TAG decision when it is available in mid-November. Students admitted with a TAG will receive formal admission notification in late April of the following year.

What happens if I am unable to meet the requirements of my TAG?

You may still be a competitive applicant through the regular transfer application process if you are unable to meet the provisions of your TAG. Additionally, you may be able to apply for a TAG again the following year. Speak with your California community college counselor regarding your circumstances.